Cabinet

The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman began by briefing the press on this morning’s Cabinet meeting. He told journalists that they had discussed Europe with the Prime Minister reporting back on the speech he had made last week. Jack Straw gave an overview, looking forward to the UK presidency of the EU. The Deputy Prime Minister reported on his visit to four East European capitals where he told Cabinet that not only had the Prime Minister’s speech made a real impact, but also that there had been an acceptance of the need for modernisation and a proper debate. Cabinet went on to discuss the G8 and the run up to Gleneagles. With regards to Africa we were driving forward on both fronts in terms of aid and also on the governance side. On climate change, as the Prime Minister had said, everything was still there to play for in terms of our approach. Tessa Jowell briefed Cabinet on the Olympics and the upcoming trip to Singapore, stressing that we were going flat out for the bid, but also stressing that the bid had already resulted in a lasting legacy in terms of sport in this country.